Thunder at Celtics
THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder seek to continue their impressive winning streak and the Boston Celtics aim to end a dubious losing skid when the teams meet Monday in Boston. Oklahoma City has won six consecutive games and has the second-best record in the NBA behind the Chicago Bulls. The Thunder defeated the New York Knicks 104-92 on Saturday in a contest nowhere near as close as the final score. Oklahoma City called off the assault in the third quarter while leading by 30 points. Star forward Kevin Durant scored 30 or more points in each of Oklahoma City’s first four games and hasn’t reached it since. However, he has made 70 percent of his field-goal attempts the last two games while scoring 29 against the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday and 28 against the Knicks. Boston fell 97-83 to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday for its fourth straight loss and continues to play like an aged squad. The Celtics have lost three straight home games and are 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE THUNDER (11-2): Center Kendrick Perkins plays against his former team for the first time since being traded last February. Perkins began his career with the Celtics in 2003 and figures to be highly emotional in his return to Boston. Perkins has provided a physical presence for the Thunder despite his modest statistics of 5.7 points and 6.0 rebounds. He has 16 blocked shots and isn’t shy about doing the little things or the dirty work.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (4-7): Forward Paul Pierce scored 21 points against Indiana on Saturday to end a string of three horrifying contests. Pierce was just 8-for-34 during a slump that has caused observers to wonder how much he has left in his tank. The 34-year-old Pierce is coming off a heel injury that hindered his conditioning. “I didn’t come back 100 percent,” Pierce said. “I’m getting back in basketball shape.” Pierce is averaging 14.6 points and shooting just 37.2 percent.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams split two meetings last season. Oklahoma City has won in each of its last two visits to Boston.
2. Durant is averaging 26.6 points in seven career games against the Celtics.
3. Boston guard Ray Allen leads the NBA with a 57.7 percentage from 3-point range.